NBC Hypes 'Costco of Weed' in Colorado Planning Nationwide Franchise

Teasing an upcoming report on Monday's NBC Today, co-host Savannah Guthrie announced: "...the big-box store of weed?
One Colorado company's plan to bring their controversial product to
states coast to coast." In the report that followed minutes later,
correspondent Gabe Gutierrez was shown standing in a room filled with
marijuana plants at the Denver-based pot store and proclaimed: "If you
thought pot retailers in Colorado were all tiny shops run by stoners,
you'd be wrong. We're here at Medicine Man, and they call this
vegetation room the green mile. It's part of a long road to making this a
national pot franchise." [Listen to the audio]

Gutierrez touted the ambitious plans of the legalized drug dealers:
"Medicine Man calls itself the largest marijuana dispensary in Colorado.
Here under the watchful eye of armed guards and security cameras, the owners are building what they're calling the Costco of weed."

Shop co-owner Peter Williams declared: "We're trying to make this into
an industrial process rather than a stoner process. And I think we're
being very successful at that."

Gutierrez portrayed it as a family business: "Pete Williams, his
brother Andy, and their sister Sally started selling medical marijuana
in 2010. Now ten relatives from three generations work here. There's
Kayla in reception, Ryan on quality control, and Grandma Michelle counts
the other kind of green."

The segment briefly noted critics of legalized marijuana, as Gutierrez
mentioned: "Testifying before Congress recently, a high-ranking Drug
Enforcement Agency official blasted the growing industry." A sound bite
followed of DEA chief of operations James Capra: "Going down the path to
legalization in this country is reckless and irresponsible."

The response by Gutierrez to such a dire warning was this: "But so far,
it's paying off for Medicine Man. A budding brand hoping to plant
itself in a state near you."

Here is a portion of the January 27 report by Gutierrez:

7:44AM ET

(...)

GABE GUTIERREZ: If you thought pot retailers in Colorado were all tiny
shops run by stoners, you'd be wrong. We're here at Medicine Man, and
they call this vegetation room the green mile. It's part of a long road
to making this a national pot franchise.

In the mile-high city....

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: This is like bringing a kid to a candy store.

GUTIERREZ: ...at least one store says it never ran low on recreational pot.

PETE WILLIAMS [CO-OWNER, MEDICINE MAN]: It's a sea of green.

GUTIERREZ: Medicine Man calls itself the largest marijuana dispensary
in Colorado. Here under the watchful eye of armed guards and security
cameras, the owners are building what they're calling the Costco of
weed.

WILLIAMS: We're trying to make this into an industrial process rather
than a stoner process. And I think we're being very successful at that.

GUTIERREZ: Pete Williams, his brother Andy, and their sister Sally
started selling medical marijuana in 2010. Now ten relatives from three
generations work here. There's Kayla in reception, Ryan on quality
control, and Grandma Michelle counts the other kind of green. Since
recreational cannabis sales became legal in Colorado on January 1st,
business has been so good, these entrepreneurs are planning a $2.6
million expansion this spring that'll double growing capacity. This is
weed in bulk.

SALLY WILLIAMS [CO-OWNER, MEDICINE MAN]: Our margins are very low. So
we're able to continue to knock down the prices and grow a lot.

GUTIERREZ: Next up, franchises, possibly in Washington state when
recreational sales fire up there later this year. And beyond, as other
states consider legalization.

WILLIAMS: We already have people wanting to use our technology and our model and we are ready for them.

Federal employees and military personnel can donate to the Media Research Center through the Combined Federal Campaign or CFC. To donate to the MRC, use CFC #12489. Visit the CFC website for more information about giving opportunities in your workplace.